Jason Bateman to Make Directorial Debut with Indie Comedy BAD WORDS

Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) is in negotiations to direct the indie picture Bad Words for Darko Entertainment. The spelling bee comedy, from a script by Andrew Dodge (Tyro), made the 2011 Black List. Bateman would not only direct, but star in the picture as well. Bad Words centers on a bitter thirty-something man who uses a technicality in the rules to enter a national spelling competition for children. The picture follows the relationships he forms with a female reporter and a young Indian contestant, who he shows lighter side of life. Sources at Variety place Bateman in the director’s chair for the first time for a feature film. He previously directed episodes of television shows Arrested Development and Family Matters. Bateman can next be seen in new episodes of Arrested Development and is currently filming with Horrible Bosses director Seth Gordon for the comedyIdentity Thief.